Lark: Book 1 of The WaterBird Series

Chapter 5: Dawn

Lark awoke to crisp morning air. She smiled for the first time in weeks. She touched her cheek where Fox had kissed her. Lark got ready, she put on her dress and combed out her long, chestnut hair. She grabbed a feather and stuck it in her hair at an angle. As she walked out of her hut, she saw the whole village of FoxValley grabbing supplies. That was right! It was her wedding day! Lark's heart sunk. She didn't want to get married. Even to Fox. "Ah! Princess Lark! Go inside the hut! The helpers are waiting to dress you for your wedding!" The chief told her heartily. "Thank you." Lark said, trying to sound grateful. She slunk into the hut slowly. "Lark!!! The princess!!!! Oh my!! We are going to need to make lots of changes to your complexion!" The woman told her as she frowned. Lark sighed. The woman held up a beautiful long dress made of a silky material. The product of silk worms, only found in caves miles and miles away. Crystals studded the dress and a wooden necklace had been put along with it, the shape of a hawk. Lark reluctantly put the dress on, careful not to rip it. The woman placed the crown veil on Lark's head. The veil was silk and ended with dove feathers. Just like the dress. Lark started outside. "Hey! You can't go out! You must stay until they get the carrier!" The woman demanded. "Oh, yes, I'm sorry." Lark told her and sat down. Hours later, the carrier was ready and Lark was placed on the heavily decorated carrier. Four strong men lifted the edges of the carrier and they were off. A thick veil had been placed on the top of the carrier so that Lark didn't get hot. She was nervous and.. Angry. Lark was carried to the wedding ceremony, which was in a clearing in the woods. Lark gracefully got up, out of the carrier and lifted her head. The crowd gasped as she glided out of the forest in a graceful notion. Lark's sister, Cara was giving everyone a fake smile, while proudly wearing a white, dove feather crown. Lark narrowed her eyes. It was hawk against dove. And, The hawk always won. Lark strode through the aisle and to the alter, where the chief and Fox awaited. Fox smiled happily and grasped her hand, as if holding a breakable jewel. The chief spoke his marriage vows to Fox and Lark. Lark heard the Falcons calling and the birds chirping. She desperately wanted to fly away. "Do you promise to never leave each other, for the rest of your lives?" The chief asked. Lark looked behind her shoulder and saw her mother, her face was strained with anxiety. Sweat started coming off Lark. She couldn't do it. She let go of Fox's hand and ran. She ran into the forest. The crowd had gasped behind her. Then, she lifted off. The wind reaching her as she ascended. Her human body turned into a falcon. She flew and flew. Never looking back. It was eventually almost sunset. Lark stopped for a rest, but ended up thinking about what she had done. Her mother would never let her be queen. She had run away. She had ran from her destiny. Lark's thoughts were scattered when a grizzly bear grumbled into the forest and almost knocked her off the branch. It was pure dark. The moon was the only light. I have to go back. Lark thought. So, she flew again. It was late when she flew back into FoxValley. When she flew down, she saw that the village was having a bonfire, and eating. The food made her stomach rumble. She saw that Fox's tent had the light on. She embraced the wind as she carefully landed next to his hut. She listened. Fox was eating what looked like rabbit soup by a small fire. His face was pale. His dark black hair was tumbling across his face. He sighed sadly. Lark's falcon face softened. She slipped into the hut, wondering if he would know it was her in her falcon form. "Oh." He said glumly. "Hello. Here, you can have some food." He told her, tossing a piece of bread at her way. Okay. He doesn't know I'm a bird. Lark thought. Lark turned back into her human form. Fox dropped his bowl of soup with a gasp. "Lark! I'm so happy you came!" Fox said, his blue eyes lighting up as he hugged her fiercely. "I'm so sorry." She told him, as she blushed. "It's okay. Maybe it wasn't meant to be. I'm still helping you become queen though." He said playfully. She smiled. Lark felt her face fall. She sat on the log. "My mother will never let me be queen." She said as a tear ran down her cheek. Lark was so embarrassed, she never cried in public. "Hey, it's okay. We will find a way." Fox said as he caught the tear and wiped her cheek with a cloth. "Let's go hunting tomorrow. Maybe it will help us think." He told her. Lark smiled. Maybe she could actually overthrow her siblings. Just maybe. With the help of Fox.